The 17th International Congress of UNITAS MALACOLOGICA, the next World Congress of Malacology (WCM), will be held in the island of Phuket, Thailand, from the 18^th to the 24^th July 2010 (inclusive) at the majestic and luxurious Royal Phuket City Hotel. This is the first time that the WCM has ever been held in Asia and is jointly organized by Unitas, Chulalongkorn University and the Biodiversity Research and Training Program of Thailand. Phuket, often called the “Pearl of Andaman” is one of the most beautiful islands in the Andaman Region, located in the southwest of Thailand within and next to the Sirinath and Phang-Nga Bay National (Marine) Parks, respectively, and a short boat trip away from the equally well known Krabi (Hat Noppharat Thara National Park) and Phi Phi Island. It thus offers internationally renowned excellent recreational beaches and scuba diving in addition to outstanding marine wildlife including, of course, molluscs. However, both the island of Phuket itself, as well as the nearby mainland (including Khao Sok National Park) offer exciting opportunities to study a diverse range of freshwater and terrestrial wildlife and trekking, or just explore the diverse local, and world famous, Thai cultures, cuisine and hospitality.

The congress will adopt the style of the last highly successful Congress in Antwerp, Belgium (2007) and, building upon their expertise, we expect the Phuket meeting to be at least as successful. The congress offers a great opportunity for people who work on or are interested in molluscs to come to Phuket, Thailand. Currently thirteen symposia are already arranged.